City draws up plan to bolster autism services

A PLAN to improve services for people with autism is to be drawn up by the city council.

A report said the strategy would focus on people with autism who did not have a learning disability, as there were “significant gaps in provision” for the group.

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to others.

People with autism can experience over-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or
colours.

The city council’s planned measures include identifying “autism champions”, improving housing services, and boosting access to employment and support for carers.

The plan is being developed in partnership with people with autism,
carers and NHS Lothian.

A consultation period will begin next month and run until July.